# Establishments in the watchmaking industry A thematic map of the Atlas of Switzerland, the national atlas published by ETH Zurich. The map is drawn in the browser; this file describes it and lists its variants and links, but not the data values shown on the map. - Map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/establishments-in-the-watchmaking-industry/ - Short title: Watchmaking industry: etablishments - Map id: 735 - Categories: Economy and Energy › Industry › Watchmaking - Keywords: Economy, Industry, Labour, Labour force - Published: 2010-11-26 - Last revised: 2022-02-10 - Content language: English - Other languages: [Deutsch](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/de/thema/arbeitsstaetten-in-der-uhrenindustrie.md), [Français](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/fr/theme/etablissements-dans-lhorlogerie.md), [Italiano](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/it/tema/unita-locali-nellindustria-orologiera.md) ## Description *Origins and development* The Swiss watchmaking industry can trace its roots back to the mid-16th century and the Reformation in Geneva. When Jean Calvin forbade the wearing of jewellery, goldsmiths and jewellers working in the region turned their attention and talents to watchmaking. Thanks to a series of innovations during the 20th century, Swiss watchmakers dominated the global industry. The first wristwatch was produced in 1926. This was followed by more technically advanced inventions, such as the quartz wristwatch and the waterproof wristwatch. In the 1970s and 1980s, the emergence of electronic wristwatches and stiff competition from Japan plunged the Swiss watchmaking industry into a crisis. However, after major restructuring, the sector was soon back on its feet. Exports rose from CHF 4.3 billion in 1986 to CHF 21.7 billion in 2019. *Production and export* In 2018, the watchmaking industry was Switzerland’s third largest exporter, behind the machine and electrical engineering industry (33.5 billion), and the chemical and pharmaceutical industry (104.4 billion). Switzerland is the largest exporter of watches in the world in terms of value, followed by Hong Kong and China. Around 58,000 people in Switzerland were employed in this sector which generates 1.5% of the country’s gross domestic product. *Major players* There are around 700 watchmaking firms in Switzerland, most of which are based in Geneva and the Jura Arc. Among the companies which employ over 1,000 people are Swatch Group, Rolex Cartier, Omega and LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA. ## Sources - FSO (2018): [Statistik der Unternehmensstruktur](https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/industrie-dienstleistungen/erhebungen/statent.html) - EDA (2017): [Watchmaking industry](https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/de/home/wirtschaft/taetigkeitsgebiete/uhrenindustrie.html) ## Data sources - Atlas der Schweiz: Administrative Einheiten 1:1 Mio. (Gemeinden, Bezirke, Kantone) - Atlas of Switzerland: [Administrative Einheiten 1:500.000 (Gemeinden, Bezirke, Kantone)](http://www.atlasderschweiz.ch/) - ETH Zurich: [Atlas of Switzerland](https://www.atlasderschweiz.ch/) - FSO (2020): [Statistik der Unternehmensstruktur](https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/industrie-dienstleistungen/erhebungen/statent.html) - swisstopo [J160089] (2010): [Gemeindegrenzen GG25](https://shop.swisstopo.admin.ch/de/products/landscape/boundaries3D) - swisstopo [J160089] (2010): [Landeskarte 1:500.000](https://shop.swisstopo.admin.ch/de/products/maps/national/lk500) ## Data owners - [Atlas of Switzerland (AoS)](http://www.atlasderschweiz.ch/) - [Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO)](https://www.bfs.admin.ch/) - [Swiss Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo)](http://www.swisstopo.admin.ch/) ## Citation The terms of use ask to name the Atlas of Switzerland and the data owners, and to keep the source references in exports, screenshots and embeds. Cite the map as: > Atlas of Switzerland (2022): Establishments in the watchmaking industry. ETH Zürich. Map data © AoS, FSO, swisstopo. https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/establishments-in-the-watchmaking-industry/ ## Variants The map has 9 variants. Levels: variant → spatial unit → time. The `u` value of a variant selects it in the links below. - Establishments - Cantons - 2011: `u=ARIAAwDV` - 2014: `u=AmcAAwDV` - 2017: `u=AtYAAwDV` (default) - Communes - 2011: `u=ARIABQDV` - 2014: `u=AmcABQDV` - 2017: `u=AtYABQDV` - Labour market areas 2018 - 2011: `u=ARIA6gDV` - 2014: `u=AmcA6gDV` - 2017: `u=AtYA6gDV` ## Links Replace `{u}` with the `u` value of a variant above, or leave out `u={u}` for the default variant. The map opens at its full extent; a link cannot set the map position. - Map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/establishments-in-the-watchmaking-industry/?u={u} - Short link, stays valid when the title changes: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/t/735/?u={u} - Side by side with another map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/comparison/?lt=735&lu={u}&rt={id of the other map}&ru={u of the other map, or leave out} Embed in another website (allowed by the terms of use, as long as the source references stay visible): ```html ``` In the embed URL, `dm` sets what is shown: `e` the map with its title bar (default), `p` also the values of an object clicked on the map, `m` only the map with a button that opens it in the atlas. `ig=1` (default) lets the map react to scrolling and dragging only after a click into it, `ig=0` right away. The size can be changed in `style`. ## Related maps - [Establishments in the watchmaking industry (1995–2008)](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/establishments-in-the-watchmaking-industry-19952008.md) (id 798, former edition, desktop atlas only) - [Jobs in the watchmaking industry (1995–2008)](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/jobs-in-the-watchmaking-industry-19952008.md) (id 797, former edition, desktop atlas only) - [Major companies in Switzerland](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/major-companies-in-switzerland.md) (id 488) For the use and citation of maps and data, see the [terms of use](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/terms-of-use/).